a. To reflect the results
of the year's work of the two European pilot projects started in 2007 i.e.;
“Authorities with responsibility for social cohesion” and “the Multipartite
Social Contract for the reintegration of vulnerable groups”. Where the
responsible authorities are concerned, the aim was to present the
results of the method for renewing synergies between public authorities and
citizens as well as the more direct involvement of citizens in combating
exclusion through ethical and solidarity-based activities. Where the
Multipartite Social Contract (MSC) is concerned, the results, especially in
connection with over-indebted persons, have been presented and a description
has been given of the extension of the proposed approach to other integration
paths, and particularly to the long-term unemployed. These experiments lead
to new forms of contribution by authorities and ethical and solidarity-based
initiatives to anti-exclusion strategies, particularly national action
programmes for inclusion and other experiments initiated in countries
non-members of the European Union but members of the Council of Europe.

b. To consider the
strengthening of the ethical and solidarity-based economy as a means of
combating exclusion, while exploring the synergies and potentially
complementary aspects of the various families of ethical and
solidarity-based initiatives to construct a shared vision of their
contribution to the fight against poverty. In the first
part of the session, working groups have been set up, each dealing with one of
three themes, namely: i. Ethical finance and social integration enterprises
based on economic solidarity; ii. Local production and fair trade with a
view to a cohesive society; and iii. Responsible consumption as a tool for
creating a cohesive society. The second part has dealt with citizens'
responsibilities and solidarity in today's world. The discussion about the
tools and prospects of citizen solidarity has been be interlinked with a
presentation of the concept of well-being for all and of the social cohesion
indicators built up by citizens, so as to explore the links and make this
concept a fundamental instrument of social inclusion.

c. To
consider increasing citizens’ responsibility, during discussions in four
interest groups: i. Social integration enterprises in European regulations;
ii. Creation of a European label for ethical and alternative finance; iii.
Structuring and strengthening responsible consumption networks: objectives,
visions, tools; and iv. Fair trade: an environmental force for social
cohesion, next steps to improve conformity and advocacy. The aim was to
study in greater detail, and to come up with responses to, the cross-cutting
theme of integrating those who are most vulnerable through ethical and
solidarity-based initiatives.